There is the short version of Spurs Silver Dancer Anncell’s move from Los Angeles to San Antonio. Last year in LA, Anncell decided at the beginning of the week to try out in San Antonio for the Silver Dancers, and by Friday, Anncell was jetting to San Antonio, and by Tuesday she was a Silver Dancer. But the reality of Anncell’s back story is that this weeklong whirlwind only happened because of Anncell’s lifelong commitment, drive, and devotion to pro cheer, with hard work and determination to always improve every aspect of her skills. Her positive spirit opens up horizons that most others would not glimpse, much less pursue. Anncell shared with UltimateCheerleaders her path from aspiring pro dancer to ChivaGirl to Laker Girl to Silver Dancer, with a path that included auditions that ranged from disappointing to those with exhilarating conclusions. But like her NBA moves, no matter what, Anncell is in perpetual motion, and with an ever-present smile. And we just love love love any pro dancer who lists UltimateCheerleaders as their favorite website on their bio. You will see why everyone who encounters Anncell soon adds her to their own personal list of “Favorites.”

Anncell was born and raised in Los Angeles, and lived there until she moved to San Antonio last year. When asked if from birth, she was ‘born to perform,’ Anncell laughs, “I’m not sure if I was ‘born to perform,’ but if you ask my family or friends I’m sure they would beg to differ. Let’s just say I’m very energetic.”

And from day one, Anncell’s relationship to her parents has been truly special. “I cannot even begin to say how truly AMAZING my parents are,” Anncell explains. “They have been so supportive in each and every area of my life and are my biggest cheerleaders. Although I thought they were too strict when I was younger, I now appreciate them and all the opportunities they’ve afforded me. I’m so thankful for their unconditional love, guidance, and support.”

“My favorite feature about my mom is her wisdom,” Anncell continues. “No matter what’s going on in my life, I know I can count on her to give me sound advice. My dad is very corny and goofy but that’s definitely what I love most about him.” So what traits from her amazing parents does the amazing Anncell attribute to them? “As far as my personality is concerned, I’m a mix of my mom’s sass and wisdom and my dad’s generosity and sense of humor,” Anncell answers.

Dancing was not always ‘love at first tap’ for Anncell. “My love for dance did not start in the typical way,” Anncell explains. “When my mom was growing up, she really wanted to be a dancer but her family couldn’t afford it. When she was a senior in high school, she finally was able to be a cheerleader, and went on to cheer in college and even joined a dance company. Because of her love for dance, she put me in dance classes at a very early age. To be completely honest I HATED it. I would cry on the way to Saturday morning dance classes because all I wanted to do was stay at home and watch cartoons, or go to the mall with my friends. I even went to a performing arts high school, so I had to dance at school, too. I really didn’t apply myself and didn’t realize at the time how much I loved dance because I was too focused on the fact that I didn’t want to do it.”

But once she could choose not to dance, Anncell made a surprising choice. “When I turned eighteen and started college, I had my way,” Anncell remembers. “I no longer had to dance. By the end of my first semester I felt like something was missing in my life, so I signed up for tap class as an elective. Taking the tap class is when it hit me. I knew what was missing. I missed the feeling of performing and expressing myself through movement! I missed it so much I ended up joining the cheerleading squad.”

Continue reading Pro cheer siren’s call to be a Spurs Silver Dancer draws Anncell to a whole new world in San Antonio

CBS Miami has a couple of new galleries of NBA dance teams in action last week. I’m super excited to see a few of mah girlz featured. Click here for photos from January 11th. Click here for photos from January 18th.

Rookie Laker Girl Mekyala

Rookie Silver Dancer Anncell

Shannon (veteran) and Ashley (rookie) from the Clippers Spirit

Between Christmas and New Year’s we are showcasing the year’s favorite photos from our contributors.

Laker Girl Jessica, taken February 5, 2012.

So James asked us to select our favorite photo from 2012 and to talk a little bit about the image.  This year, I have been blessed to attend many great events: the Arizona Cardinals Cheerleader auditions, the St. Louis Rams auditions, the 2012 PRO Convention, the Anaheim Bolts Dance Team auditions and a season full of Charger games featuring the lovely Charger Girls.  And though there were many photos that I considered to be memorable, this one stands out for a several reasons.  First, the girl is absolutely gorgeous, one of the most photogenic cheerleaders that I have ever photographed.  Second, its a photo of a member of an iconic squad, the Laker Girls.  Third, I love the uniform she is wearing.   The colors are eye catching and the style is sexy and classy.  And finally, I love the exposure…the rich saturated colors and the golden hue imparted by the reflection off of the court.

This image, to me, is one of my favorite photos of 2012.  Of course, in January, I publish my top 10 photos of 2012 on my personal website, thehottestdanceteam.wordpress.com.  So stay turned for that.

Click here to check out the 2012-13 Los Angeles Laker Girls!

A Laker Girl

Hardcourt Halloween: NBA licenses sexy ‘dance team’ costumes
By Adam Tschorn
Los Angeles Times
October 4, 2012, 10:32 a.m.

Since the NBA season officially gets underway the day before All Hallows Eve, perhaps it’s fitting that one of the National Basketball Assn.’s latest licensing deals is for women’s Halloween costumes.

Described by the NBA as “dance team costumes” (as opposed to, say, “sexy team groupie costumes,” or “sexy cheerleader uniforms”), the collection includes body-hugging, leg-baring riffs on the uniforms of five teams: the Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat, New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers.



The three-piece 100% polyester costumes, which consist of a top, a pair of color-coordinated knee-high athletic socks and either a super-short skirt or hotpants, are being sold nationwide through Party City’s retail stores and website and retail in the $50 to $60 range.



There’s a Los Angeles connection deeper than the sexy Lakers uniforms, too. The licensee behind the costumes is L.A.-based, family-owned lingerie and costume company Leg Avenue, which creates costumes under license for all kinds of entertainment properties including “Flashdance,” “Top Gun,” and new for 2012, “Grease.” (The company’s motto? “Leg Avenue … No one does sexy better!”)

The new Halloween costumes are just the latest in a range of efforts by professional sports leagues to acknowledge — and cater to — their female fan base, including team-inspired high heels (licensed by the NBA) and a Swarovski-crystal-encrusted T-shirt created by Marchesa co-founder Georgina Chapman for New York Jets fans, that was unveiled by the NFL on Oct. 2.

Honestly, I don’t know how I missed this. The first episode has already aired. I think you can still catch repeats of episode two. Hopefully they’ll put the series online somewhere ~ sasha

PRESS RELEASE

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Sep 26, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) — –”Laker Girls” reality series chronicles the making of the iconic dance squad, exploring what it takes to make the cut

Time Warner Cable SportsNet and Time Warner Cable Deportes will launch on October 1, giving fans insider access into the Lakers organization through two original unscripted series about the team. “Backstage: Lakers” and “Laker Girls” will provide an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at the season while it unfolds and the making of the team’s iconic dance squad.

…Blah blah blah. Stuff about Sportsnet and the Lakers. Blah blah blah.
(If you really care, you can read the whole thing here)…

“Laker Girls” (also titled “Laker Girls” on Time Warner Cable Deportes) provides an in-depth profile of the making of the 2012-13 squad and its members. Fans will learn first-hand about the fierce competition to make the iconic dance squad, from open call tryouts attracting more than 500 women to a behind-the-scenes peek at opening night at STAPLES Center. The “Laker Girls” reality series is made up of five one-hour episodes and debuts on October 2 at 8:00 p.m., with the full series airing as follows:

“Laker Girls” episode 1 – Tuesday, October 2, 8:00 p.m.
“Laker Girls” episode 2 – Tuesday, October 9, 9:00 p.m.
“Laker Girls” episode 3 – Wednesday, October 17, 9:00 p.m.
“Laker Girls” episode 4 – Tuesday, October 23, 9:00 p.m.
“Laker Girls” episode 5 – Finale, Tuesday, November 6, 9:00 p.m.

* – All times listed are PST.

…Blah blah blah. More stuff about Sportsnet and the Lakers. Blah blah blah.

There’s a very short excerpt from Episode two on the Sportsnet website [click here to watch]. It’s all about “the girl in the white bikini” aka, Andi, who happens to be one of my girls. Not that I’m bragging. Well, I guess I sort of am. A little bit.

So I’m proud of her. Sue me.

On the one hand, Andi looks fantastic. That is exactly how you should show up to an NBA audition. But on the other hand, I really wish they’d knock it off with the Baywatch-style slow-mo panning up and down her body.

Ok I get it that she’s dancing around in a little white bikini. But that’s Andi. She’s barely out of her teens and she’s a really sweet girl and not annoying at all. So knock it off already. (Attention stalkers: Andi has two very large brothers who will squash you like an insect if you mess with their sister.)

And on a side note, that white bikini was a stroke of genius. Wearing an all-white outfit to an audition always makes you stand out in the crowd. It’s much more impactful than wearing any other color from head to toe. In my opinion anyway.

Laker Girl auditions were super competitive this year, as always. Now is our first chance to see who made the cut. (Belated) congrats, ladies! [Click here for mini head shots.]

Left to right
Top Row: Jenny, Andi, Melissa, Deanna*, Kelsey*, Chloe, Rachael
Middle Row: Julie*, Lindsay*, Mekayla, Shelbie, Brandi, Brittney*, Ashley*, Dara*
Bottom Row: Rebekah, Karla, Maggie, Aubrey, Jacquelyn*, Teresa*, Maddy

The scoop on the newbies’ dance backgrounds:
Andi – Chivas USA ChivaGirl, former Clippers Spirit
Aubrey – ??
Brandi – Performs at DisneyLand
Chloe – Didn’t make the UCLA dance team, but turned around and made Lakers. I think she got the better deal.
Jenny – Former San Diego Charger Girl
Karla – Dance teacher
Maddy – Performs at DisneyLand, former Miami Heat Dancer
Maggie – a dance studio girl, I believe
Mekayla – Chivas USA ChivaGirl, former member of the Anaheim Bolts Dance Team
Melissa – Chivas USA ChivaGirl (interestingly, sister of Michelle from Clippers Spirit. But they still love each other.)
Rachael – another studio girl
Rebekah – Studied dance at Julliard (Yes. THE Julliard)

Laker Girls Raquel and Jensen (2009)

The 2012-13 Los Angeles Laker Girls have been selected, but the team hasn’t been announced yet. In the meantime, Lakers.com has more photos from finals, including an individual shot of each finalist. Click here to check it out!